Service Hours Form

 Service Hours Form

All Bright Futures community service hours must be pre-approved by guidance before doing the service work and then turned in within 90 days.

10 Tips for Taking a Standardized Exam

1.  Get plenty of sleep the night before the test.

2.  If you feel nervous before beginning, try to relax by taking a few deep breaths.

3.  Maintain confidence in your abilities and plan to do your best.  Your attitude can affect your performance.

4.  Listen carefully to all instructions and ask questions if you hear something you don't understand.

5.  Focus your attention entirely on your work.

6.  Position your answer sheet next to your test booklet so you can mark answers quickly and accurately.

7.  Before answering each question, read it completely, as well as all the possible responses.

8.  SAT-If you are unsure of an answer but can eliminate 2 of the answer choices then go ahead and choose the one you think is best.  If you cannot eliminate any of the answer choices leave it blank and move on to the next question.  There is a penalty for guessing.

    ACT-When you are unsure of an answer, choose the one you think is best and go on to the next question. Be sure to answer every question.  There is no penalty for guessing.

9.  Pace yourself throughout the test by occasionally checking the time.

10.  If you complete the test before your time is up, reread the questions and check your answers.

Checklist for a Campus Visit

-Meet with an admission counselor

-Verify admission requirements

-Determine actual college costs

-Ask about financial aid opportunities

-Take a campus tour

-Investigate academic program(s) you are interested in

-Attend a class

-Talk with students and faculty

-Find out how to apply

-Find out about application deadlines

-Inquire about student activities that are available to students (clubs, organizations, intramurals, etc.)

College Application Steps Simplified

1. Apply to the schools (pay attention to requirements and deadlines!)

2. Send your transcript to the schools you are applying to3.  Take the SAT and/or ACT. 

4.  Send test scores (ACT/SAT) to schools

5. Apply for financial aid (pay attention to requirements and deadlines!)

**Please see the senior year academic timeline for more details on this process

GPA Weights and Calculations

Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS):
-All semester grades are used in computing GPA

-1 point of GPA weight is added to all Pre AP, Honors, and AP classes taken

Bright Futures:
-Only core academic semester grades are used in computing GPA.  (Foreign language goes into the calculation for Academic and Medallion Scholars)

-1/2 a point of  GPA weight is added to all Pre AP, Honors, and AP classes taken

State University System:
-Only core academic grades are used

-1/2 a point of GPA weight is added to all Pre AP and Honors classes taken

-1 point of GPA weight is added to all AP classes taken

Develop a Plan to Finance Your Education

1.  Determine college costs
2.  Investigate all possible resources   

-Parents  
-Savings     
-Summer earnings     
-Financial aid (Scholarships, Grants, Loans, Work Study)     
-Other sources

3.  Secure necessary forms and pay attention to deadlines

4.  Apply for financial aid as early as possible